Rest - Day 6

Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.

And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-8

This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:12-13

Rest - Day 7

It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones. Psalm 127:2

God has told his people,
“Here is a place of rest;
let the weary rest here.
This is a place of quiet rest.”
But they would not listen. Isaiah 28:12

Rest - Day 4

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:1-3

Let my soul be at rest again,
for the Lord has been good to me.
He has saved me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the Lord’s presence
as I live here on earth! Psalm 116:7-9

Rest - Day 3

Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He told them, “Remember what Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you a place of rest. He has given you this land.’ Your wives, children, and livestock may remain here in the land Moses assigned to you on the east side of the Jordan River. But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has given you rest, and until they, too, possess the land the Lord your God is giving them. Only then may you return and settle here on the east side of the Jordan River in the land that Moses, the servant of the Lord, assigned to you.” Joshua 1:12-15

So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the Lord had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war. Joshua 11:23

Rest - Day 2

“One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.”The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” Exodus 33:12-14

Rest - Day 1

This week's topic in print: Download Rest

As I’ve mentioned in the previous few blog posts, my family has been really tired lately. Bill and I are working really hard. Our finances have been terribly strained, and we are doing all we can. My husband words two jobs and has a side business. I have a job and a couple of things going on the side….and those aren’t even the most important things to us. We have four kids! And ministry in our community! Our days are long and hard, and there is never enough time for anything. I know many of you share that same kind of burden. My family got away last weekend for some rest, and it made a world of difference in my perspective, my love for my family, and my outlook on life.

I got a good laugh this week when I pulled out an old journal to use and found an entry from a summer day, six years ago. At the time, my kids were 7, 4, 2, and 6 months. We were living in that little 860 square foot Arkansas house:

June 29, 2004

Yesterday was one of those days that you go to bed further behind than when you got up, the kind where if followed around with a video camera, you’d be sure to land some air time on a favorite talk show, “Worst Days Caught on Tape” - or the like. Things were going reasonably well most of the day – typical chores, diapers, reading lessons, etc. I hosed the boys down from the mud adventures a few times. I began “potty training” with Ian - which so far is basically “poop and pee in the underwear” day. Dinner was almost ready, Bill was mowing when Hayden came crawling into the kitchen tracking something behind him. It took a split second to realize it was the paint I’d been using in the hall earlier. “But I put it away!” I thought to myself. But I hadn’t hammered down the lid because I was going to do more later. An entire gallon dumped into the living room carpet. I ran outside with my “butterscotch” coated baby and hollored to my seven year old Clayton to “Get dad! Help!” Then rushed to the tub to clean him up. He didn’t cry a bit until I frantically began pulling his clothes off and scrubbing him down. Bill came running in. We caught boiling over pots and cleaned the kitchen vinyl, scrubbed some of the carpet and scooped up what paint we could salvage. Most of the carpet is a loss- like a heavily absorbed sponge that will forever ooze yellow mirk. After dinner I went to Walmart to look for medicine for Hayden’s thrush (since the pharmacies were already closed). They didn’t have any, so I thought I’d at least get the numbers for the mailbox which the checker let Riley carry to the car earlier – and he apparently did not take them to the van. Walmart donation! Hayden took a nice nap on the way there, though, so he was up until 10 o’clock. I went to bed leaving newspapers piled ina muddy bathroom, and dishes piled in the sink. I got more sleep than normal, though, last night and got to work this morning. Today has been better – most because I’ve spent some time in the word ( Hebrews 3). Verse six was very encouraging to me to hold on to my public openness of speech concerning the hope we have. I cleaned the bathroom and kitchen, cut my hair, and of course hosed the boys down after their mud adventures, changed diapers, cleaned messy underwear, did some laundry, etc. Life goes on!

Moms, we work hard! Don’t we? As a mom, I’m always hoping for rest. The naps our kids scream about sound better to me than dessert! What I wouldn’t give for one. My body gets tired, and my spirit does to.

This week our pastor was reminding us of the plan God had from the very beginning for us to take time to rest.

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." Genesis 2:2-3

God didn’t rest because He was tired and needed rest. The Scripture is clear that God is always at work –that He is holding the world together, and it is a full time job. But He wanted to model rest to us because He knew we would need it.

In Exodus, He told the people”

“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed. Exodus 23:12

As a mom – especially when I was home with preschoolers all day – it seems like every day is consumed with ordinary work. It takes a lot of effort to prepare a day that I don’t have to do ordinary work. I can’t hire a maid for the day to do my job. But I’ve learned that it absolutely worth it to pick a day that I call rest day. It is worth it to cook two days of meals the day before, keep the calendar clear, and spend all that “chore time” resting and spending time in the word. Yes, I still have to dole out band-aids and settle arguments, but I just decide that I won’t be cleaning or doing laundry. I need a day to rest.

That may look different for every family. You might get up on Sundays and go to church and then come home and rest for the afternoon. But you might be on staff at a church where Sunday is your biggest work day, and you have to find another day to rest. But whatever it looks like for you, find a day to rest! You won’t regret it!!

It's All Going According to the Plan

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan." Ephesians 1:3-11

He makes everything work out according to his plan.

Pause. Sigh. Reflect.

There is so much peace and relief in that one phrase.

How many times have my kids been in a tizzy because they were worried about something senseless. In my motherly wisdom I knew that it was all going to work out. I see things they don't see. I understand things they don't understand. I often know how it will end up, and I try to assure them, "It is going to be o.k. Mommy has it under control."

How many times has the Father whispered the same things to me. "You are mine. I have everything under control. You have an inheritance alongside my son Jesus, and I will make it all work out according to my plan."

With the kids: My kids and I have had many discussions where they an explanation for a decision I've made. Sometimes there just isn't an explanation that will make sense to them. I've told them over and over again that it is my responsibility to teach them to trust me....so that they will learn to trust God when they don't understand Him either. Know what I mean?

Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:5-6 (The Message)

God, the Master, told the dry bones, "Watch this: I'm bringing the breath of life to you and you'll come to life. I'll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You'll come alive and you'll realize that I am God!"

Have you ever felt as if your body was falling apart? Whether in sickness or weariness? Well, I have sleep problems. Not just problems, Chronic Insomnia. It is something I have to see a sleep specialist about and take sleeping pills for. Let me just say that it is not fair that I have a 6 month old baby that sleeps 8-12 hours and I still can’t get more than 4 hours of good sleep. After a rough night my body is shaky, my head is pounding, and just walking feels like a workout! It has been particularly bad lately and I finally poured out my concern about my body to a dear friend of mine. She reminded me of the story in which the Lord told Ezekiel to prophecy over a field of dry bones. The field represented a decaying Israel who felt as if they had no hope. But even in their death, the Lord showed His power! Ezekiel prophesied and watched as flesh formed over those dry bones and the bodies were filled with breath! God said, “Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live (verse 13).”

Oh, I have read this verse a dozen times over the last few days! Whether you are sick in mind, soul, or body, the Lord sees your dry bones and will breathe life into you!

Apparently, there is also a children’s song about this. I searched for songs about Dry Bones and stumbled upon the familiar tune (“The foot bone is connected to the leg bone, the leg bone is connected to knee bone, Oh hear the Word of the Lord!”) I honestly had no memory of this song being Christian. I only remembered pointing to various body parts thinking the actions were fun while singing. This is a good reminder that you have an opportunity to teach your kids important Bible stories through song and other activities. But, don’t get so lost in the fun that they miss the point of the story! Be honest with them, they just might think that God bringing bones to life is awesome and want to hear more.

And now Lord, I ask you to help these dry bones of mine to sleep! Amen.

Perfect Peace

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever,for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:3-4

Have you ever been at an amusement park just about closing. You're on a roller coaster, and you can keep waving the ride operator to let you go around again because there is no line.

The last two weeks around here have been nuts. There's been a huge combo of stuff going on. We're getting ready for a brother's wedding, celebrating promotions and at the same time mourning career hits, looking for glasses that we just paid to replace, recovering from financial mistakes and celebrating large tax returns, fighting sickness, facing neurologist appointments, celebrating basketball wins and dealing with poor grades. There has been a lot of good among the bad. Roller coaster...Only I feel like I'm the one on the ride that wants off and no one hears me, so they just keep letting it go around and around and around!

Those, however, that keep their minds on the Rock Eternal while they are on the roller coaster, are able to stay in perfect peace.

How is your focus today?

Weary of Sin

    "SAVE ME, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck [they threaten my life]. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overwhelm me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; my eyes fail with waiting [hopefully] for my God....O God, You know my folly and blundering; my sins and my guilt are not hidden from You." Psalm 69:1-3, 5

Sin and guilt causes weariness in our soul - and in our body.

Is God bringing any sin to your mind today that you need to take care of? Take some time today to pray through Psalm 51.

    "HAVE MERCY upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin! For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me....Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow.....Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied; let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:1-3, 7-12

With the kids: Sometimes I have to remind myself when I'm disciplining my children for their sin, that I am teaching them a healthy habit. For the health of their spirit, their body, and their emotions, they need to learn to take care of sin right away.

Memorizing: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Worry, Worry, Worry

The number one enemy of a heart being at rest has got to be worry! Agree? No one says it better than Jesus, so let's just read what He has to say today:

Matthew 6 

²⁵"Therefore I tell you,
do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your
body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the
body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look
at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  

²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O
you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

With the kids: I hope you are lucky enough where you live to have some birds coming back! We are! It is a perfect time to talk about God's loving care for each one of them and how much more God cares for us.

Memorizing: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life" Matthew 6:27

A Heart at Peace...

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."  Proverbs 14:30

So let's talk about a few things that keep our heart from being at rest. Did you know that envy can literally have physical results? This verse isn't just being metaphorical. Our emotional health greatly affects our physical health. 

"Envy" in this verse implies being "excited by the prosperity of others." It is the exact feeling
Asaph was struggling with in Psalm 73. But Asaph does the right thing, he takes those emotions to the Lord and reminds Himself of the truth. The end result? He realizes where his strength and prosperity comes from.

Read this: (and I apologize. Sometimes the fonts just DON'T work right on Typepad...and this is one of those days.)

 

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

 1Surely God is good to Israel, 
       to those who are pure in heart.

 ² But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; 
       I had nearly lost my foothold.

 ³ For I envied the arrogant 
       when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

 ⁴ They have no struggles; 
       their bodies are healthy and strong. 

 ⁵ They are free from the burdens common to man; 
       they are not plagued by human ills.

 ⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace; 
       they clothe themselves with violence.

 ⁷ From their callous hearts comes iniquity; 
       the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

 ⁸ They scoff, and speak with malice; 
       in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

 ⁹ Their mouths lay claim to heaven, 
       and their tongues take possession of the earth.

 ¹⁰ Therefore their people turn to them 
       and drink up waters in abundance. 

 ¹¹ They say, "How can God know? 
       Does the Most High have knowledge?"

 ¹² This is what the wicked are like— 
       always carefree, they increase in wealth.

 ¹³ Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; 
       in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

 ¹⁴ All day long I have been plagued; 
       I have been punished every morning.

 ¹⁵ If I had said, "I will speak thus," 
       I would have betrayed your children.

 ¹⁶ When I tried to understand all this, 
       it was oppressive to me

 ¹⁷ till I entered the sanctuary of God; 
       then I understood their final destiny.

 ¹⁸ Surely you place them on slippery ground; 
       you cast them down to ruin.

 ¹⁹ How suddenly are they destroyed, 
       completely swept away by terrors!

 ²⁰ As a dream when one awakes, 
       so when you arise, O Lord, 
       you will despise them as fantasies.

 ²¹ When my heart was grieved 
       and my spirit embittered,

 ²² I was senseless and ignorant; 
       I was a brute beast before you.

 ²³ Yet I am always with you; 
       you hold me by my right hand.

 ²⁴ You guide me with your counsel, 
       and afterward you will take me into glory.

 ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you? 
       And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

 ²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail, 
       but God is the strength of my heart 
       and my portion forever.

 ²⁷ Those who are far from you will perish; 
       you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

 ²⁸ But as for me, it is good to be near God. 
       I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; 
       I will tell of all your deeds.

With the kids: I don't know about your house, but envy sure seems to stir up a lot of trouble with the kids at my house? "None of my friends have to do chores!" Ha! "All my friends have a cell phone!" "They get to go to the water park for their birthday!" "He's gone with you to the store six times in a row, and I never get to go!"....and on and on it goes.  

What can we do to correct this attitude with our kids? Here are a couple of ideas:

Modeling. Well, the main thing is that horrible modeling thing. You know, where we have to do it first. What do your kids see you drooling over that you can't have and then muttering over when you can't have it?

Remove the "fair factor." This advice came to me from a wise mother of six. Do you know the difference between fairness and justice? Fairness keeps all things equal all around. Justice gives to each person exactly as their needs require. Which do you think is better. If you give twenty kids ice cream cones, you've been fair. But if three of them have dairy allergies, you haven't been just. Justice gives popsicles to some and ice cream cones to others whether it appears fair or not. Make sense? It is really easy to get caught in the fairness trap with young kids - so as to not upset anyone. But it doesn't show true love. 

Speak God's Word to them. Verses like this one are great to learn together....simple, short, tangible. Maybe even drop an Alka Selzer tablet in some water and let them watch the "envy" eat up the bone."

Memorizing: A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30